gilding on acrylic painted signs

[Mark Felder]

Has anyone had success in gilding on acrylic painted signs. I've been using LeFranc slow size, but I've noticed some flaking of the gold leaf after a couple of years...any suggestions.

thanks

Mark Felder
The Sign Shop
mfelder@gwi.net

[Dan Seese]

Hi Mark,
I've gilded many times on acrylic painted signs, mostly dimensional but also some flat signs painted with acrylics. I've usually used LeFranc slow size or combination of slow & fast size. Have never had any problems with it.
Was the acrylic cured before you did the gilding? That might make a difference if moisture was escaping, but I would think that would happen early-on.
Maybe if the surface was too slick before applying the size, it needed some abrading beforehand.
Afraid I can't be of much help because I've had good success.
Hopefully someone else can shed some light on it.

[Raymond Chapman]

Gary Anderson was telling me of a problem he had after using size directly over acrylics. About the same time I had experienced the same problem.

The solution seemed to be to paint a layer over the acrylic using One Shot (ivory, imitation gold) to put a barrier layer between the acrylic and the size. Since I've been doing this there has been no further problems. It also makes a much smoother surface on which to apply the size. Mainly I use LeFranc slow size.

One of the problems may have been not waiting long enough for the acrylic top coat to cure well enough before applying the size. Whatever...the barrier coats seems to work now.

[Kent Smith]

Because the size should adhere well to the acrylic once cured, the only issues I have ever seen had to do with curing acrylic. Ambient humidity always effects how long it takes to cure. The simple test is to cup your hand over the surface for a minute or two and if you sense cold or dampness, then it is not cured. If you have trouble with that method, lay a piece of clear plastic wrap on the surface and after a few minutes you will see some dampness or cloudyness if it is still curing. When in doubt, wait. Enamels are less effected by the curing as the moisture will migrate around the enamel while it cures and you are not attempting to gild on them anyway. Using enamel also extends the time and the acrylic will have cured so there is no moisture in the area.